Lead Data Scientist

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.

The Lead Data Scientist is a strategic leader responsible for defining and executing our AI/ML roadmap to deliver hyper-personalized consumer experiences and optimize marketing activation21. This role involves partnering closely with business stakeholders to identify high-impact opportunities, designing and prototyping advanced models, and overseeing the operationalization of machine learning from concept to production.
Responsibilities: 

• Define and implement technical strategies for leveraging the CDP to drive advanced predictive analytics across all platforms. 
• Partner with Product, Marketing, and Data Analytics teams to design, develop, and deploy AI/ML models for churn prediction, lifetime value, and content recommendations. 
• Establish and lead the practice of A/B testing and experimentation to rigorously measure the impact of predictive models and personalization efforts24. 
• Architect and oversee the implementation of Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) to ensure models are deployed, monitored, and retrained in a robust and automated fashion. 
• Translate complex analytical results and model performance metrics into actionable insights and strategic recommendations for executive stakeholders. 
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists and engineers on best practices in statistical modeling, machine learning, and causal inference. 

Requirements: 

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field. 
• 7+ years of hands-on experience building and deploying production-grade machine learning models. 
• Expertise in Python and its data science ecosystem (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow/PyTorch, Pandas, MLflow). 
• Advanced SQL skills for complex data manipulation and feature engineering on large datasets in a warehouse like Snowflake. 
• Deep theoretical understanding and practical experience with a wide range of ML algorithms, statistical analysis, and experimental design. 
• Proven, hands-on experience with MLOps and deploying predictive models into production environments29. 

Desired Skills: 

• Experience within the OTT media, streaming platforms, or content recommendation engines domains30. 
• Familiarity with big data technologies like Spark for distributed model training. 
• Experience with product analytics tools like Amplitude or Mixpanel.

TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.

Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA’s 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.

Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.

TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year. 

* Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.

EEO statement:

TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email [email protected] 

Recruiting Fraud Alert:
To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA Recruiters or Hiring Managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background.  Communications with TEGNA employees will either come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains.  
Recruiters or Hiring Managers will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers.